Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Help Forest Landowners Recover and Replant After Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) welcomed bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced yesterday in the U.S. House (H.R. 8538) and to be introduced today in the Senate that would help private forest landowners recover reforestation costs more quickly after natural disasters. FLA says current tax rules slow down replanting after major losses.

The Save America’s Family Forests Act is led in the U.S. House by Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Aaron Bean (R-FL), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Greg Steube (R-FL), and Mike Thompson (D-CA), and in the U.S. Senate by Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

Under current law, forest landowners can only deduct up to $10,000 in reforestation costs in the year they are spent. Any remaining costs must be spread out over the next seven years. Supporters of the bill say this structure makes it harder for landowners to replant quickly after disasters.

The legislation would triple the immediate deduction from $10,000 to $30,000 for all landowners. It would also allow those affected by federally declared disasters to deduct up to $500,000 in reforestation costs immediately.

Supporters say these changes would help landowners recover faster and reduce financial pressure that can sometimes force them to sell their land, which may then be converted to other uses.

Privately owned forests provide most of the nation’s timber and support millions of rural jobs. Hurricanes, wildfires, floods and ice storms can wipe out decades of growth in a matter of hours or days. Faster replanting also helps restore wildlife habitat, water quality and long-term carbon storage.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said the bill supports communities that depend on forestry for jobs, stating, “Thousands of Louisianians rely on our forest industries for work. Supporting our forest landowners as they rebuild is the right thing to do.”

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) said rural communities depend on healthy forests, stating, “Alabama’s Black Belt and rural communities depend on healthy, working forests for jobs and economic opportunity. As wildfires and severe weather events become more frequent, we must help landowners recover and rebuild. I’m honored to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan effort to support family forest landowners.”

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pointed to the growing challenges from natural disasters, stating, “Right now, Georgia forest landowners are dealing with the repercussions of increasingly severe wildfires and natural disasters. The Save America’s Family Forests Act would give them additional support as they recover and keep their land in production. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to support the families and communities who depend on healthy forests.”

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) said forestry is central to Georgia’s economy, stating, “Georgia’s family forest landowners are essential to our economy and our way of life. It’s the number one state for forestry, supporting rural jobs, strengthening supply chains, and keeping our environment healthy and resilient. By building on proven expensing policies, this bill ensures they can recover quickly after disasters and continue managing healthy, productive forests.”

Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association, said the bill would make recovery more practical for landowners.

“Family forest landowners play a vital role in keeping America’s working forests healthy, resilient, and productive, but recovering from natural disasters can create significant financial challenges,” Jones said. “The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides a commonsense solution by allowing landowners to reinvest more quickly in reforestation when it matters most. This will help ensure our forests remain a strong foundation for rural economies, timber production, and long-term environmental stewardship.”

The Forest Landowners Association urges Members of Congress to support the Save America’s Family Forests Act by signing on as cosponsors.

Read the full bill text for H.R. 8538.

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Statements of Support

Congressional Member Support

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
“Right now, Georgia forest landowners are dealing with the repercussions of increasingly severe wildfires and natural disasters. The Save America’s Family Forests Act would give them additional support as they recover and keep their land in production. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to support the families and communities who depend on healthy forests.”

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA)
“Georgia’s family forest landowners are essential to our economy and our way of life. It’s the number one state for forestry, supporting rural jobs, strengthening supply chains, and keeping our environment healthy and resilient. By building on proven expensing policies, this bill ensures they can recover quickly after disasters and continue managing healthy, productive forests.

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL)
“Alabama’s Black Belt and rural communities depend on healthy, working forests for jobs and economic opportunity. As wildfires and severe weather events become more frequent, we must help landowners recover and rebuild. I’m honored to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan effort to support family forest landowners.”

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC)

“North Carolina’s family forest landowners face growing risks from storms and natural disasters, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, and they need commonsense tax policy that supports recovery. The Save America’s Family Forests Act helps keep working forests productive and in family hands by accelerating reforestation investment when it matters most, while also supporting efforts to expand domestic timber production and strengthen our rural economies.”

Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL)
“Northeast Florida’s forests are essential to our environment and our economy, and they’re under real strain from ongoing wildfires. Family forest landowners and the timber industry play a vital role in restoring these lands, but they need the flexibility to recover and replant quickly after damage. The Save America’s Family Forest Act gives them that support, helping Florida’s forestry families keep their land productive and our natural resources strong for the future.”

Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL)
“In Florida, our family forests face constant threats from hurricanes and severe flooding that can wipe out years of timber production overnight. When disaster strikes, family forest landowners need tax relief when replanting costs hit, not years later. That’s why I’m co-leading the Save America’s Family Forests Act. This bill extends proven expensing policies to family forests in the wake of natural disasters so can recover faster, supply affordable timber, and support rural economies.”

Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX)
“Rural communities across America need champions who understand what’s at stake. This legislation gives forest landowners the tools to act fast, protect their investment, and keep their land productive for generations to come. America’s timber industry needs parity when it comes to relief and recovery from natural disasters. This bill ensures the tax code is working for them, not against.” 

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA)
“After catastrophic wildfires and other natural disasters, forest landowners face unnecessary delays in reforesting due to outdated tax policy. The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides the certainty landowners need to reinvest quickly, restore forest cover, and keep these landscapes healthy. Proud to serve as a co-lead of this bipartisan legislation to strengthen our natural resources.”

National Organization Support

American Farm Bureau Federation

“America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners care deeply for the land they’ve been entrusted with. When natural disasters strike, recovery is not just about rebuilding; it’s about continued improvement to ensure sustainability. We appreciate members of Congress who have worked in a bipartisan manner to create the Save America’s Family Forests Act. It builds on proven policies to give forest landowners the flexibility they need to replant and recover without unnecessary delay.”

Association of Consulting Foresters

“America’s family forest landowners should not face unnecessary obstacles when working to recover from natural disasters and keep their forests healthy and productive. The Save America’s Family Forests Act of 2026 provides a practical update to tax policy that can help landowners replant sooner, reinvest confidently, and strengthen the long-term future of working forests. The Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) is proud to support this bipartisan legislation and encourages landowners to seek the guidance of qualified consulting foresters to help ensure sound management decisions that protect both their land and their financial interests.“

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

“Private working forests play a vital role in providing wildlife habitat and access for sportsmen and women, but as recent natural disasters have shown, recovery costs can impede forest restoration. We thank the bill sponsors for introducing the Save America’s Family Forests Act to modernize federal tax policy to help landowners keep forests working sustainably for wildlife, rural communities, and opportunities for hunters and anglers.” 

State Organization Support

Alabama Farmers Federation

“Alabama’s family forest landowners are a critical part of our state’s agricultural economy, but too often they are left without the tools they need to recover after natural disasters. The Save America’s Family Forests Act helps address one of the biggest challenges they face—access to timely capital to replant and restore their land. We thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell and the Members of Congress leading this effort for recognizing the importance of keeping working forests productive and in family hands across Alabama.”

Alabama Forestry Association

“Forestry is a cornerstone of Alabama’s economy, supporting jobs and rural communities across the state. When natural disasters strike, delayed cost recovery can slow reforestation and disrupt the entire supply chain. The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides a practical solution by improving the tax treatment of reforestation, helping ensure landowners can reinvest quickly and keep forests productive. We thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell for her leadership on behalf of Alabama’s forest landowners.”

Calforests

“California’s forest products sector depends on the strength and resilience of our working forests and the family forest landowners who steward them. As wildfires grow more frequent and severe, outdated tax policy only delays recovery and discourages reinvestment when it’s needed most. The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides a practical solution to help landowners and the broader forest products sector rebuild and reforest, sustain rural jobs, and ensure California’s forests remain productive, healthy, and resilient for generations to come.”

Florida Farm Bureau Federation

“Outdated tax policy shouldn’t penalize family forest owners for doing the right thing after a natural disaster. Forcing landowners to wait years to recover reforestation costs only delays recovery and discourages reinvestment in working forests. Florida Farm Bureau strongly supports the Save America’s Family Forests Act because it delivers a commonsense fix—allowing landowners to expense reforestation costs when they’re incurred. This bill will accelerate recovery, strengthen rural economies, and help ensure America’s family forests remain productive and sustainable for generations to come.” 

Florida Forestry Association

“Florida’s forest landowners face increasing threats from hurricanes and other natural disasters that can devastate working forests overnight. Recovery depends on timely replanting, but current tax policy creates unnecessary delays and financial strain. The Save America’s Family Forests Act helps address this challenge by allowing landowners to reinvest more quickly after a loss, strengthening forest resilience and supporting rural economies. We thank Congressman Aaron Bean, Congressman Greg Steube, and the Members of Congress leading this effort to support family forestry businesses and private landowners.”

Georgia Farm Bureau Federation

“Georgia’s agricultural community, including timber producers, has faced major losses from Hurricanes Michael and Helene. These disasters highlight the vulnerability of our working lands and the need for policies that enable faster recovery. The Save America’s Family Forests Act offers a practical solution, by allowing full and immediate expensing of reforestation costs.  This bill enables farmers, timber producers, and forest landowners to reinvest without delay, strengthen rural economies, and keep working forests productive for future generations.”

Georgia Forestry Association

“Georgia’s forestry sector is one of the strongest in the nation, driven by family forest landowners who are committed to keeping their land productive. After a natural disaster, the ability to quickly recover and replant is critical not only for landowners, but for the entire forest products supply chain. This legislation builds on proven expensing policies to provide the certainty needed for timely reinvestment. We thank Congressman Buddy Carter and Senator Raphael Warnock for their leadership in advancing solutions that keep Georgia’s working forests healthy and productive.”

Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

“Louisiana’s forestry producers have faced repeated setbacks from hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters that can wipe out decades of investment overnight. Recovery depends on the ability to reinvest quickly, and current tax policy slows that process down. The Save America’s Family Forests Act helps address that by allowing landowners to expense reforestation costs when they are incurred, improving cash flow and speeding up recovery. Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation supports this commonsense approach to keeping working forests productive and supporting the rural communities that depend on them.”

Louisiana Forestry Association

“Louisiana’s forest landowners know firsthand how difficult recovery can be after major disruptions like Hurricane Ida and the 2023 wildfires that impacted more than 60,000 acres across the state. Long timelines for cost recovery only add to that burden. By allowing faster reinvestment in reforestation, the Save America’s Family Forests Act supports landowners in restoring their forests, sustaining forest-based jobs, and keeping Louisiana’s working forests healthy and productive over the long term.”

North Carolina Forestry Association

“North Carolina’s forest products sector relies on the strength of its working forests and the family forest landowners who sustain them. In the wake of Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters, many landowners are facing significant losses, and outdated tax policy only slows recovery and reinvestment. The Save America’s Family Forests Act offers a commonsense solution to help landowners and the broader forestry sector rebuild more quickly, support rural economies, and ensure North Carolina’s forests remain productive, resilient, and in family hands for generations to come.”

Texas Forestry Association

“Texas forest landowners face a wide range of natural threats, from hurricanes in the east to wildfire risks across the state. Recovering from these events requires significant upfront investment, and current tax policy can make that process more difficult than it should be. The Save America’s Family Forests Act offers a commonsense approach to improving reforestation incentives while maintaining important safeguards, helping ensure landowners can reinvest quickly and keep forests productive for the long term.”